Q: Where did the name Virginia Water come from?A: It comes from the name of one of the Lakes in the Windsor Great Park. A history of the lakes can be found under the History section of the website.

Q: How did Wentworth Golf course come to be in Virginia Water?A: The golf course has developed over many years and at one stage the building that is now the Clubhouse was the home of the famous Count Cabrera. There are lots more details about Virginia Water and Wentworth under the history part of the website

Q: How easy is it to travel to and from Virginia Water?A: The Virginia Water train station is on the main line to Waterloo and passes through Staines, Richmond and Clapham Junciton. The village is a short distance from the M25 Staines and M25 Chertsey junctions, Heathrow airport, the M3 and the M4 motorways giving it maximum accessibility. Details of timetables can be found on http://www.nationalrail.co.uk.

Q: Where have all the pubs gone in Virginia Water?A: Good question! The pubs in the Village are the Stag and Hounds on Wellington Avenue and The Olive Branch on Callow Hill. The Wheatsheaf Hotel on London Road has a public bar as well as being a hotel. The rest are all restaurants - it is just that type of area.

Q: What happened the Sanatorium ?A: The Sanatorium closed in 1981 and its last patients were moved to St Peter's hospital. The site was sold around 1993/4. It is now a private estate called Virginia Park. Many features of the original building have been preserved under preservation order. On certain days of the year it is possible for the public to make a visit.

Q: Who organises local community events?A: The main organisation pulling on community events is the Virginia Water Community Assocaition. Full details are on the website about the organisation.

Q: When did water start flowing over the Cascade in the Virginia Water lake?A: It is believed that the Cascade officially started on 4th April 1797 after a large personal investment in the words by King George III. More details about the construction of the Lake can be found under the local history section.

Q: Is the area around the lake is closed in the evenings?A: As far as we know the paths around the lakes are open all the time. However, it is rather dark at night as there is little lighting around the walks. More details about the Windsor Great Park can be found on the Crown Estate website
here.

Q: What kind of people live in Surrey? A: In the 20th century Surrey was traditionally known as "the stockbroker belt", a place where affluent City professionals bought large mock Tudor houses, and enjoyed a privileged lifestyle, playing golf, (the wife played tennis) superintending the gardener and driving the Jaguar or Bentley to the local pub for a gin and tonic. Whether such a stereotype ever existed in vast numbers is doubtful, but today you are as likely to find a very different type of wealthy person living down a Surrey lane. There are pop stars ( Eric Clapton at Ewhurst, Ringo Starr at Cranleigh, Mick Hucknall at Walton-on-Thames, Cliff Richard at Weybridge, Ronan Keating at Thames Ditton) media celebrities (Michael Caine at Leatherhead and Chris Evans at Godalming) sport superstars ( Jimmy White in Cobham, Colin Montgomerie in Oxshott and Sir Geoff Hurst in Weybridge) plus the odd former South American dictator or member of the Royal Family: General Pinochet and the Duchess of York temporarily resided at Wentworth (she is now renting in Windlesham) and Prince Edward (the Queen's youngest son) and his wife live at Bagshot Park near Woking. Details provided by www.surreyhomes.com wherer more info on Surrey can be found.

Q: Is it permitted to scatter ashes within the Windsor Great Park?A: This is something that you would need to contact the Crown Estate about as they are responsible for the Park. Details on Crown Estate.

Q: We would like to go to virginia water for a picnic in the summer. Would you be able to help with the places and information on whether we would be able to bring our own food?A: Full details of the Windsor Great Park and Virginia Water lakes can be found on the Crown Estate website http://www.crownestate.co.uk/. Details of the parking areas and eating facilities can be found on the page http://www.crownestate.co.uk/estates/080.htm.

Q:

How do I find details on the Windsor Great Park and Virginia Water lakes

A:

Details can be found on the Crown Estate website Crown Estate. Details of Savill Gardens within the Estate can be found on Savill Garden.

Q: How far is it from Virginia Water to Heathrow Airport?A: The Main airport is approx 8.5 miles (14km) as the cros flies but 11.5 miles via A30/M25/M4.

Q: When can I visit the old Sanitorium Building?A: Entry to the estate is via the security gate opposite Virginia Water Train Station. Tours are available between 10am and 6pm on the following dates during 2003
May 21/25
June 18/25/26
July 16/23/27
Aug 13/20/24
Sept 17/24/28
Oct 15/22/26
Nov 19/23/26
Dec None

Q: How far is it around Virginia Water lake?A: There are three lakes in the Windsor Great Park - Virginia Water Lake is 4.5 miles around, Obelisk Pond is 1 1/2 miles with a shortcut making it about 1m. You can't walk around the third lake called "Johnston's Pond". More details about the lakes can be found in books available in the Savill Garden bookshop.

Q: Is there a local bus service in Virginia Water?A: There are no local bus services in Virginia Water. Details of travel around Surrey can be found on the link http://surreyonline.info/ under A-Z of services.

Q: Is it possible to go fishing at Virginia Water lake?A: Virginia Water lake is part of the Crown Estate and a permit must be obtained from the Crown Estate Office in order to fish on restricted parts of the lakes (south of Virginia Water Lake, top of Johnson's Pond and top of Obelisk Pond). The Crown Estate contact details are .... Crown Estate Office, The Great Park, Windsor, SL42HT, phone 01753-860222. The season runs from 16th June until 14th March. 2003 season ticket is £55.

Q: Can I swim in Virginia Water?A: Officially no because there are lots of weeds and plants around the lake that could trap someone especially a child. Full details of the part on www.crownestate.co.uk/estates/windsor/index.shtml and www.savillgarden.co.uk/.

Q: Did you have a football club in Virginia Water for children, the young people and adults?A: Yes, the football club is located in Crown Road and can be contacted on 01344-843811.

Q: Is there a club or pub where there is a music or DJ live ?A: Virginia Water has no club or live music. It has mostly very high quality restaurants where you can enjoy some of the best food in the world. There are night clubs in Ascot and Staines.

Q: Is there a English School for the foreign students in Virginia Water ?
A: The nearest Language School offering English for foreign students is the Oast House in Staines. Phone number 01784-457372.

Q: Is it poossible to cycle around Virginia Water Lakes?A: Cycling is permitted on on certina paths around the lakes. This are indicated at the entrances to the lake.

Q: How can I find out about local travel facilities?A: http://www.traveline.org.uk/ contains impartial information on planning your journey, by bus, coach or train... or any combination of the three!

Q: Who do I need to speak to in order to arrange some filming at Virginia Water Lakes?A:

Virginia Water Lakes are part of the Windsor Great Park which is controlled by the Crown Estate. Filming rights for Virginia Water must be obtained from the Estate Office which manages the Virginia Water Lakes. Details are ....

Q: Is cycling permitted around Virginia Water Lakes?A: Cycling is only permitted on specified paths which are designated at the various entrances to the park.

Q: How can i obtain more information on the park at virigina water? A: Try http://www.savillgarden.co.uk/ and http://www.crownestate.co.uk.

Q: Are BBQs permitted at Virginia Water lakes?A: According to the notices displayed at the various entrances to the lakes no open fires or BBQs are permitted in the grounds of the Windsor Great Park.

Q: Around 1995/1996 when I lived in Sunnindale, I had a key fob (paid for on a yearly basis) to enter all parking areas around Virginia Water Lake. I find myself using VWL more and more with grandchildren and dogs and parking on a daily basis is rather expensive. Is this `key` opportunity still in existence? If so how do I go about buying one?A: Contact Crown Estate Office,The Great Park, Windsor, Berks, SL4 2HT. Tel 01753 847518, Fax 01753 847536

Q: Where is Virginia Water lake?A: There are three lakes but a good starting point would be to use postcode GU25 4QF on www.streetmap.co.uk or www.multimap.co.uk